12 OCTOBER 2024
If you want to check the position of any planets in any horoscope here’s a quick and easy link for a look-see, just fill in the data of date, place and time –
https://www.astrotheme.com/horoscope_chart_sign_ascendant.php
In last week’s blog I was writing about the big turning points signalled by Jupiter turning retrograde (Wednesday 9th) and Pluto turning direct (this morning, Saturday 12th). It’s always worth paying close attention to these dates as they happen only once every four to five months and events coinciding with them can speak of turnarounds in our own lives.
As I was saying last week this time around Pluto’s turning point carries extra weight as it’s the last time that this will happen at the end of Capricorn. On 19 November Pluto will re-enter Aquarius for the third and final time, and won’t be back in Capricorn for another couple of hundred years.
PLUTO | |
2023 | |
23 March | Ingress Aquarius for the 1st time |
11 June | Returned to Capricorn |
2024 | |
1 January | Started the year at 29.21 Capricorn |
21 January | Ingress Aquarius for the 2nd time |
2 May | Turns Retrograde 02.06 |
1 September | Returns to Capricorn |
12 October | Turns Direct 29.38 Capricorn |
19 November | Ingress Aquarius for the 3rd and last time |
JUPITER | |
1 January | Started the year by turning direct at 05.34 Taurus |
26 May | Ingress Gemini |
9 October | Turns retrograde 21.20 Gemini |
4 Feb 2025 | Turns direct 11.16 Gemini |
9 June | Ingress Cancer |
Pluto’s turning point also coincides with Mercury struggling out of Libra with a final aspect of a square to Pluto (exact tomorrow, Sunday 13th) and then entering Scorpio (2nd November), which is Pluto’s sign. There’s a lot of finality in that picture and this morning as I write I’ve already heard “an end of the road” story, about someone not being able to (Pluto) emigrate (Jupiter).
However, major endings that take the shape of dead ends and brick walls are often the hand of destiny at work, steering us in another direction. Back in 1994 I was devastated when my sub tenancy of my London flat came to an end, I’d been let the place very cheaply for 6 months and ended up staying for 8 years. By then the going rate for renting anything similar was way out of my league and I was facing homelessness. I was devastated. So I moved to Greece. Still here lol.
THE WEEKLY BLOG
I’ll be talking more about these turning points in next week’s blog, along with these astrological features coming up. As you can see, Venus the love and money planet is the lead player –
- Venus on her last leg through Scorpio
- Venus aspects to Uranus, Neptune and Pluto
- The Venus – Pluto finale falls on the same day as the Full Moon in Aries and Venus moving on into another fire sign of Sagittarius – welcome back fire!
- Jupiter sextile Chiron – an aspect that is exact today but which I forgot to include in last week’s blog, and which will repeat later in the year. What does this combination indicate?
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Sometimes I feel as if am living under a permanent retrograde Mercury! Yesterday on the Mercury quincunx Uranus, am sure I won’t be the only one with technological problems on that aspect, my remote control for the TV packed up. A new one was only 12 Euros but that doesn’t work either and I now see that the small light on the TV that is the sensor for the remote isn’t working. Pet hate, things that don’t work, but then the telly is over 10 years old so not surprising that something has worn out.
SCORPIO
We’re now two thirds of the way through the Libra time of year, so only ten days to go before the Sun moves into Scorpio on 23 October. In the meantime we’re getting a big taste of the Scorpio themes (eg in the news the Middle East crisis, a matter of life and death in Florida) as Venus finishes her journey through this sign this coming week and Mercury is just about to start, travelling through Scorpio from tomorrow evening up until 2 November.
Closer to home the life and death issues at the Cat Sanctuary are more intense than ever. The airport shuts in two weeks time, the last of the tourists are desperately trying to help all the stray kittens that they’re finding on the island, every day on Facebook they’re begging for help, especially for info as what to do. Evie is the only place on the island and she’s now bursting at the seams yet again. If you’d like to help small amounts really, really do count –
Here’s the link for the fundraiser that goes straight to Evie/or her PayPal account –
THE LATEST ARRIVAL …. JULES, found by the bins, now in safe hands
NATAL ASTROLOGY
Here’s my write up on Mercury and Venus in Scorpio as natal placings, taken from my book Essential Astrology – https://tinyurl.com/m9wr7xkb To what extent do these descriptions fit, if these are your placings or in the horoscopes of others close to you?
MERCURY IN SCORPIO
Mercury in Mars’ feminine sign of intense and secretive Scorpio is, as with the opposite sign of Taurus, associated with silence. Early experiences often carry the hallmark of repression in which speaking freely is disallowed, discouraged or frightening.
These individuals are incredibly deep thinking but have to learn how to communicate authentically rather than clamming up or resorting to the classic sting in the tail type of sarcasm. They can be overly critical or controlling of others until they learn to subject their own nature and behaviour to the same scrutiny. Self awareness is vital for this placing.
How we do or do not speak about Scorpio’s taboo subjects, with sex at the top of the list, is this Mercury’s domain. Meg Ryan did as much for women’s sexuality as she did for her own career with her faking an orgasm scene in When Harry met Sally. Only a Mercury in Scorpio gal could do that justice.
Writing about sex is also perfect symbolism for this Mercury. One of my clients has made her fortune by writing steamy books for the Mills and Boon Black Lace series.
With Scorpio’s link to both healing and death this Mercury is the “talking cure”, the archetype for the sex therapist, bereavement counselor and all types of psychoanalysis. The theme of muteness is still in evidence. A therapist attends to what is not being said, and interprets the coded language of dreams in order to dredge up the precious silt from the teeming riverbed of the unconscious.
Mediums and psychics are found here too, the conduits between this world and another.
In a nutshell: reserved, bewitching, insightful
Other celebs with Mercury in Scorpio –
- Anne Hathaway
- Gandhi
- Grace Kelly
- Jodie Foster
- Joe Biden
- John Lennon
- Julia Roberts
- Katy Perry
- Kim Kardashian
- King Charles III
- Miley Cyrus
- Ryan Gosling
VENUS IN SCORPIO
Venus in Mars’s feminine sign is intense and deeply emotional, although you would be forgiven for not thinking so on first impressions. These Venus people do not wear their hearts on their sleeves, to put it mildly. Co-ruled by Pluto there is a secretive streak and a need to stay in control of their feelings. This belies a passionate nature and they may even come across as cold or indifferent.
Often there is some disturbing experience in their childhood or adolescent life that taught them to give nothing away. Abuse stories are tragically common. Having suffered from powerlessness they instinctively or consciously protect their vulnerability and nobody gets through the security gates without careful screening.
These Venus individuals usually ooze sex appeal, mystery and look drop dead gorgeous in black. They admire strength and bravery, and need a partner who is bold and gutsy. Passivity bores them. They know all about the power of sex but are prone to jealousy or possessiveness.
However, when secure or truly put to the test, they make awesome partners. Their all or nothing nature means that they can do for better or worse, in sickness or in health, till death us do part better than anyone.
Former First Lady Hillary Clinton survived the sexual scandals of her husband and went on to excel in her own political career. She is especially known for encouraging the empowerment of women on a global scale.
Venus in Scorpio has a highly developed sixth sense and can also symbolize the psychic or the healer.
In a nutshell: impervious, powerful, alluring
Other celebs with Venus in Scorpio, some doubling up as already in the Mercury list –
- Anne Hathaway
- Bill Gates
- Demi Moore
- Gandhi
- Gordon Ramsay
- Hugh Jackman
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Jodie Foster
- Leonardo di Caprio
- Matt Damon
- Steven Spielberg
- Winona Ryder
GEOFFREY CORNELIUS
I remember talking to Geoffrey on more than one occasion about the project of writing a book. The first time was when I’d just written my first book Tarot for Today (twenty years ago, where does the time go!) which was my favourite book to write, and he said that if I’d loved writing it then I was extremely lucky. For Geoffrey the challenge of getting all of his phenomenal knowledge down in black and white was often overwhelming, even tortuous.
This made me think several things – one, writing a book is not easy, but it’s so satisfying. It’s a wonderful example of how chipping away at something every day brings a matter to fruition. If you can write 1,000 words a day then you can write a book. Two, probably the more you know the harder it is to write a book, what do you put in and what do you leave out? Three, if you’ve got something to contribute then please do try and write a book.
I remember Maggie Hyde lamenting the fact that Derek Appleby had published so little when he passed away, he died on a lot of knowledge and expertise. To this day in my client work and blog writing I use a lot of the craft that Derek taught me, so I hope I’ve passed some of it on, but nothing can ever replace writing about your own findings for the community, astrological or whatever your own field might me.
Geoffrey’s major work is The Moment of Astrology, which is regarded as the most important astrological work of our times. His legacy also includes this work, Starlore of the Constellations.
An updated version of the original book is being reissued at the end of the year. I’ve already done my advance order on Amazon – https://tinyurl.com/mr2k4dkx
Starlore of the Constellations: The Astronomy, Myth and Symbolism of the Night Sky
- Illustrated with stunning artwork and detailed star maps: This is an essential guide for both beginner stargazers and experienced astronomers.
• Embark on a celestial journey: From Babylonians to Native Americans to Ancient Greeks, learn how humans have connected with the cosmos throughout history, shedding light on our continuing fascination with the heavens.
• No prior knowledge needed: This book focuses on aspects that can be seen with the naked eye or binoculars. It’s also the ideal companion for mobile star-viewing apps.
• All 88 major and minor constellations, plus the planets, are included: Through the starlore of hundreds of individual stars, lose yourself in the magic of the night sky